panic
/ˈpænɪk/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈpænɪk/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈpa-nik/ (ame, mw) · /ˈpæn.ɪk/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈpæn.ɪk/ (ame, ipa)
panic — noun
- panicsingular
- panicsplural
1. an overwhelming wave of sudden fear that takes over the mind, freezes calm think
an overwhelming wave of sudden fear that takes over the mind, freezes calm thinking, and pushes a person to act in a hurry — for example, when a fire alarm rings inside a cinema, or you realise at the airport gate that your passport is missing.
When the fire alarm rang, Maya felt a wave of panic.
noun: a wave of panic
Lina searched her bag in panic after she could not find her house keys.
in panic — manner of an action
There was a sudden panic among the shoppers when the lights went out.
News of the bank's collapse caused widespread panic across the stock market.
Carlos tried to hide the panic in his voice as he called the doctor.
文法句型
in (a) panic
panic over/about + noun
用法筆記
Often uncountable, but takes 'a' when describing one specific episode (a panic, a sudden panic). Frequently follows prepositions: 'in panic' (manner) and 'in a panic' (state).
常見錯誤
panic — verb
- panicpresent simple I / you / we / they
- panics3rd person singular
- panicking-ing form
- panickedpast simple
1. to suddenly become so frightened or worried that you act without thinking — for
to suddenly become so frightened or worried that you act without thinking — for example, freezing during an exam, slamming the brakes when a deer jumps onto the road, or rushing out of a meeting room.
Don't panic if you fail one quiz — Mr. Chen drops the lowest score each term.
imperative: Don't panic + reassurance clause
Marcus panicked when he saw the exam questions and forgot every formula he had studied.
panic when + clause
Lina started to panic about missing her flight to Tokyo.
When the lift stopped between floors, the children panicked and began to cry.
Mr. Tanaka panicked over the drop in oil prices and sold all his shares.
文法句型
panic about/over + noun
panic and + verb
用法筆記
Doubles the final 'c' before -ed/-ing endings: panicked, panicking. Very common as a negative imperative ('Don't panic') in spoken English.
常見錯誤
2. to make someone suddenly feel so frightened or worried that they act without thi
to make someone suddenly feel so frightened or worried that they act without thinking — often used when news, threats, or rumours push people into hasty decisions like selling shares or buying lots of toilet paper.
The loud bang panicked the horses in the stable.
transitive: panic + animals/people
Rumours of a shortage panicked shoppers into buying ten bags of rice each.
panic somebody into + -ing
The Mayor warned the press not to panic the public with unverified reports.
Sudden bad news from the factory panicked investors into selling their shares.
文法句型
panic + somebody
panic somebody into doing something
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1 (intransitive 'feel panic'). This sense always takes a direct object — the person or group made afraid. Often appears in the pattern 'panic somebody into doing something'.
常見錯誤
panic — adjective
- panicpositive
- more paniccomparative
- most panicsuperlative
1. used only before a noun to describe something that is caused by, used in, or sho
used only before a noun to describe something that is caused by, used in, or shows sudden uncontrolled fear — as in a panic attack (the medical episode), panic buying (rushed shopping during a crisis), or a panic button (pressed in an emergency).
Sarah had her first panic attack on the morning of her job interview.
fixed phrase: panic attack
Panic buying of bottled water cleared the supermarket shelves before the storm.
compound: panic buying / panic-buying
Every train carriage has a red panic button next to the door.
The Garcia family hid in the panic room when they heard breaking glass downstairs.
The team's panic selling pushed the share price even lower that afternoon.
文法句型
panic + noun (panic attack, panic buying, panic button)
用法筆記
Used only before a noun (attributive). Common fixed compounds: panic attack, panic button, panic buying, panic selling, panic room. Cannot follow a linking verb — say 'He was panicky', not 'He was panic'.